Activity kit with tetherable components

ABSTRACT

An activity kit with tetherable components includes a foldable case movable between a closed position and an open position. The case is devised for use by a child during transit in a vehicle. An interior surface is presentable for use when the case is moved to the open position. Writing implements are releasably secured to the interior surface and may be unsecured for use. A tether connects each writing implement to the case whereby each writing implement may be retrieved if dropped during transit. A child may, therefore, engage in written and drawing activities in a vehicle without losing use of writing implements, even when the writing implements are dropped.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of compactable, foldable, and self-contained activity kitsfor children are known in the art. However, use while traveling presentsproblems where the child is confined to a child safety seat: When thechild drops an implement or component of the kit, the implement orcomponent is often irretrievable without stopping the vehicle andretrieving the implement or component for the child. Many a parent isfamiliar with the attendant outcry if the implement or component is notretrieved.

Prior to 1979, there were no laws in the United States requiring use ofcar seats for children. Children were, for all intents and purposes,free to roam around inside a vehicle. In 1979, Tennessee became thefirst State to adopt a car seat law that required securing the child ina specially designed car seat, sized and suited to the child's physique,to protect the child from collisions or traffic accidents.

By 1985, all States had adopted car seat laws. Yet, 80% of children werestill not using them in transit. Play during long trips, therefore, wasnot confined to a particular area in a vehicle, and children were ableretrieve items dropped during use in the vehicle while freely movingabout the vehicle interior.

However, in reaction to unnecessary fatalities, no doubt, specificationsfor car seats have increased and become more stringent over the years.In the present day, children under eight years of age must be properlyrestrained in an automobile with a separate restraint system or boosterseat designed to properly accommodate their size and stature. As aresult, children are limited in their range of motion—if a child drops awriting implement, for example, during transit, the implement may beirretrievable until the vehicle is stopped. This can be frustrating forparents, who often provide their children with booklets and activitiesduring long trips. Stopping the vehicle to retrieve the item on behalfof the child is time consuming and inconvenient. Worse, attempts by aparent to retrieve the item while operating the vehicle can be extremelydangerous.

The present invention, therefore, addresses this issue by providing anactivity kit with tetherable components: writing implements that arestorable and usable in transit while remaining tethered to the activitykit. If a child drops the writing implement, the implement isretrievable by the child at the end of the tether.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to travel kits and activity kits, and,more particularly, to an activity kit with tetherable components thatpresents storage capacity and includes interior and exterior surfacesupon which to interact with booklets and writable surfaces whereon achild may draw, color, or otherwise create and interact with contentduring travel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been devised to assist children performactivities while traveling in a vehicle. The present activity kit withtetherable components maintains access to media and associated writingand coloring implements for drawing, coloring, and/or writing. Theactivity kit with tetherable components enables a child to retrieve adropped implement without having to move from his or her seat, whereinhe or she is subject to restraint while in transit.

The present activity kit with tetherable components presents a compact,portable profile, and has been devised to contain writing and/orcoloring implements tethered to a case. The case is foldable and has aninterior surface and an exterior surface which are orientable between anopen position and a closed position. In an example embodimentcontemplated herein, the case is foldable in half whereby the exteriorsurface is bisected by a spine. The case may be configured to unfoldthrough approximately three-hundred-and-sixty degrees, whereby theinterior surface is positional exteriorly in the open position and theexterior surface is positional interiorly. When moved to the openposition, the interior surface is accessible and is presented as a worksurface upon which a child may conduct activities, as exemplified hereinbelow, and the exterior surface is folded against itself.

A pocket is disposed within the interior surface, said pocket disposedto slidingly receive and secure an activity booklet therein. Theactivity booklet may be a coloring book, or a pad of paper, or otherbook, magazine, publication, or interactive medium (such as a smarttablet, for example) presenting a plurality of leaves or pages uponwhich activities may be performed or a surface or screen with which tointeract. The activity booklet is enclosed within the case when the caseis moved to the closed position.

In an example embodiment contemplated herein, at least one receptacle isdisposed upon the interior surface in spatial relation proximal to thepocket and, when present, the activity booklet or smart tablet thereinpositioned. This at least one receptacle is configured to releasablyreceive a portion of a writing implement whereby the writing implementis securable to the interior surface of the case when inserted into thereceptacle. In an example embodiment contemplated herein, the at leastone receptacle is configured to engage an associated writing implementendwise—that is, the writing implement is inserted into the receptaclealong a longitudinal axis whereby an end of the writing implement ishoused interior to the receptacle. However, other types of receptaclesare contemplated as within scope of this disclosure such as, forexample, clips or ties that engage against at least a portion of thewriting implement to releasably secure the implement in close contactwith the interior surface of the case.

At least one tether, having a first end and a second end, is releasablyconnectable to the interior surface and, also, releasably connectable tothe writing implement at some portion thereof. A plurality of tethers iscontemplated as within scope of this disclosure, by which a plurality orwriting implements may be secured to the case.

The at least one tether may be threaded through at least one aperture inthe case, whereby the tether's two ends are freely disposed forconnection to writing implements, for example. In another exampleembodiment contemplated herein, the tether may be connected orconnectable to the case by one of the tether's ends, and thenconnectable to the writing implement at its other end. In anotherexample embodiment contemplated herein, the tether may be intermittentlyconnected across the interior surface presenting loops to which orthrough which writing implements may be releasably secured. In anotherexample embodiment, a combination of the aforementioned arrangements andconfigurations of the at least one tether is contemplated.

The at least one tether is contemplated to be an elongate string, strip,ribbon, or elasticated member, or other elongate nonrigid member,enabling uninhibited use of the writing implement within a range of thecase described by a radius extending the length of the tether disposedbetween the writing implement and the case. Thus, should a child dropthe writing implement, the implement may be readily retrieved by meansof the tether.

In at least one embodiment contemplated herein, a writable surface maybe disposed upon the exterior surface of the case. In an exampleembodiment herein disclosed, the writable surface upon the exteriorsurface may comprise a dry erase surface whereon a child may mark ordraw and erase the markings or drawings for reuse. In an exampleembodiment contemplated herein, a soft, raised perimeter may be disposedsurrounding the writable surface upon the exterior surface of the caseto serve as a padding or wrist rest when the case is positioned upon thechild's lap in the closed position with the writable surface disposeduppermost.

Thus, has been broadly outlined the more important features of thepresent activity kit with tetherable components so that the detaileddescription thereof that follows may be better understood and in orderthat the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Objects of the present activity kit with tetherable components, alongwith various novel features that characterize the invention areparticularly pointed out in the claims forming a part of thisdisclosure. For better understanding of the activity kit with tetherablecomponents, its operating advantages and specific objects attained byits uses, refer to the accompanying drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures

FIG. 1 is a diagonal elevation view of the case in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the case exterior surface when the caseis in an open position.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the case interior surface when the caseis in the open position.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the case in a closed position.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the case in an open position.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the case in an open position with afirst portion folded over a second portion.

FIG. 7 is a diagonal elevation view of the case in the open position toshow a pocket member disposed upon an interior surface of a secondportion of the case.

FIG. 8 is a diagonal elevation view of the case with an activity bookletinserted into the pocket member.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the case in an open position withwritable implements ready for use.

FIG. 10 is a detail view of an end of a tether disposed with a collarmember engaged around a writable implement.

FIG. 11 is an elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the tetherwith a plurality of writable elements secured thereto.

FIG. 12 is an elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the tetherwith a plurality of writable elements secured thereto.

FIG. 13 is an elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the tetherwith a plurality of writable elements secured thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An example embodiment of the activity kit with tetherable components,designated by the number 10, is shown in the accompanying Figures. Thesedrawings are set forth to exemplify features of the present inventionand are not intended to be limiting. Additional and other embodimentsare contemplated as within scope of the present invention; the form andarrangement of fundamental features and parts set forth herein definedand controlled by the accompanying claims.

Discussing now the drawings in example embodiment, FIG. 1 is a diagonalelevation view of an example embodiment of the activity kit 10 in closedposition. The kit includes a case 20 that has an exterior surface 22 andan interior surface 24. Case 20 includes first portion 26 and secondportion 28 foldably articulated by means of spine 30. A writable surface50 is disposed on exterior surface 22 of first portion 26. In thisexample embodiment, the writable surface 50 is contemplated to be a dryerase surface, however other writable surfaces are contemplated aswithin scope of the invention, including other erasable surfaces (suchas slate, for example, or magnetic erasable containers) or touchscreensurfaces for example. Case 20 is foldable between an open position and aclosed position and is portable by means of handle 32 attached toexterior surface 22 proximal spine 30. Case 20 may be securable in theclosed position by means of fastener 34 disposed proximal lower edge 36of first portion 26.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of case 20 in an open position,with first portion 26 extended from second portion 28. It should benoted that, as shown in FIG. 6 , case 20 may be inverted inside out,whereby first portion 26 opens through approximately 360° to contactsecond portion 28 and present interior surface 24 outermost. In thisexample embodiment, case 20 is securable in the closed position by meansof loop member 38 engaging against fastener 34. However, additional andother means of securing the case in the closed position are contemplatedas within scope of the invention, including, for example, hook and loop,snaps, buttons, clips, ties, magnets, and other means of selectivelyfastening first portion 26 to second portion 28 at lower edge 36.

FIG. 3 shows interior surface 24 of case 20 when first portion 26 isopened away from contact with second portion 28. Interior surface 24 mayinclude a pocket member 40 (see, e.g. FIG. 7 ) into which activitybooklet 100 may insertibly engage. Activity booklet 100 is here shown inexample embodiment as a ring-bound pad of paper upon which a user maydraw or write, however additional and other activity booklets arecontemplated within scope of the invention, including, for example,coloring books, learning books, books, magazines, print media, games, orsmart tablets securable in position by means of a cover member or otherattachable planar portion inserting into pocket member 40.

Writing implements 42 are securable to the interior surface 24 of thesecond portion 28 by means of receptacles 44 disposed adjacentlyproximal the pocket member 40. In this example embodiment, receptacles44 are configured to releasably receive a portion of writing implement42 whereby said writing implement 42 is secured to the interior surface24 of the case 20. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 3 ,receptacles 44 are configured to releasably engage writing ends of dryerase markers 42. A user may, therefore, retract markers 42 fromreceptacles 44 to write or draw upon activity booklet 100. It should benoted that the term “writing implement,” as used herein throughout,should be taken to include handheld styluses and other implements usableto interact with a medium, be it digital (as in the case of a smarttablet or surface, say) or analogue (as a piece of paper, slate, or dryerase surface, for example).

In this example embodiment depicted, tether 46 is releasably securableto second end of markers 42, whereby markers 42 are retrievable by auser holding the case 20 if the markers 42 are dropped during use whennot secured in receptacles 44. In the example embodiment shown, tethers46 are releasably attachable to markers by elasticated sections 48.Other means of attaching to writing implements are contemplated aswithin scope of this invention, however, including for example, hook andloop fasteners or releasable adhesive members or fictively engageablecollars (such as manufactured from silicone or other polymer, forexample), or other means of selectively attaching ends of tether 46 toat least a portion of writing implement 42.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation view of an example embodiment ofcase 20 secured in the closed position by means of fastener 34. Firstportion 26 is folded overtop of second portion 28 whereby interiorsurface 24 is enclosed and exterior surface 22 is disposed outermost.FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment side elevation view of case inthe open position, with first portion extended our from second portionafter first portion has been moved through approximately 180°.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side elevation view of an example embodiment ofcase 20 secured in the open position with first portion 26 folded oversuch that the exterior surface 22 of each of the first and secondportions 26, 28 are brought into contact proximal lower edge 36. In someembodiments, fastener 34 may include magnetic properties whereby case 20is securable in the open position by means of magnetic attractionbetween fastener 34 and a corresponding section of second portion 28.Additionally, other means of releasable attachment may secure case 20 inthe open position when exterior surface 22 of first and second portions26, 28 is brought in contact proximal lower edge 36, such as, forexample, snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, clips, ties, and othermeans of effectuating temporary attachment between the first and secondportions 26, 28 when in the open position.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example embodiment of pocket member 40 disposedupon interior surface 24 of second portion 28. In the example embodimentdepicted, pocket member 24 is sized to receive the cover or backing ofactivity booklet 100. Pocket member 40 may be sized appropriately toslidingly receive a portion, backing, planar extension, cover, or case,or other leaf, of a smart tablet, for example, or other activity bookletor interactive apparatus such as a coloring book, workbook, or studybook, whether print or digital media. Holes 60 shown in interior surface24 proximal spine 30 are rendered for hosting tether 46 therethrough forconnection with writing implements 42.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example embodiment of case 20 with activitybooklet 100 inserted and securely supported by pocket member 40. Whencase 20 is in the open position, activity booklet 100 is thereforeaccessible. When case 20 is open with exterior surface 22 of first andsecond portions 26, 28 in contact, as shown, case 20 presents athickness which, when case 20 is positioned upon a user's lap, maypresent activity booklet 100 in a more convenient position for writingor drawing upon or otherwise interacting with. Similarly, when case 20is in the closed position, the writable surface 50 disposed upon firstportion 26 exterior surface 22 may likewise be presented in a moreconvenient height above a user's lap for the user to work upon.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment showing writable implements 42removed from receptacles 44. In this example embodiment, receptacles 44serve as either housings for the writing implements' caps (to enclosenibs) or as the caps themselves. Tether 46 is shown threaded throughholes 60 to present ends for releasable engagement with at least aportion of writing implements 42. FIG. 10 illustrates a detail view ofan example embodiment of an end of tether 46 shown in FIG. 9 . Collar 48is disposed to releasably engage around writing implement 42circumference and thus secure writing implement 42 endwise to tether 46whereby writing implement 42 is retrievable if dropped in use by user.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example embodiment of an alternative embodimentof tether 46. In this example embodiment, tether 46 is disposedhorizontally upon interior surface 24 of case 20. Writing implements 42have hoop members 62 endwise disposed thereupon. Each writing implement42 is thereby secured to tether 46 and may be uncapped for use. When thewriting implement 42 is returned to its end cap, it remains secured totether 46 and, therefore, portably engaged to the interior surface 24 ofcase 20.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example embodiment similar to the exampleembodiment shown in FIG. 11 . In this example embodiment, however,writing implement 42 has hoop member disposed at the end opposite thenib. This, the writing implement is maintained connected to tether 46 inuse. Tether 46 may therefore be elasticated or spooled or extendible toaccommodate use of the writing implement 42 within limited range ofinterior surface 24 while writing implement 42 is attached to tether 46

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative example embodiment of tether 46. Inthis example embodiment, tether 46 is intermittently attached tointerior surface 24, either horizontally or vertically upon interiorsurface 42, creating sections of tether 46 to which writing implements42 may be selectively attached. In this example embodiment shown, tether46 presents a width to which writing implements 42 may clip when slottedbetween each point where tether 46 is attached to the interior surface24. Writing implements are therefore storable in case 20 in this exampleembodiment but may be used uninhibited (and without tether 46 attached).

Embodiments are contemplated that include combinations of all of theexample embodiments disclosed in a single embodiment. Embodiments arecontemplated in variation of the example embodiments disclosed, whereinvariation is within the scope implied by the claims.

1. An activity kit with tetherable components comprising: a portable,foldable case having an interior surface and an exterior surface, saidfoldable case foldable between an open position and a closed position; apocket disposed within the interior surface, said pocket disposed toslidingly receive an activity booklet; at least one tether having afirst end and a second end, said at least one tether releasablyconnectable to the interior surface and releasably connectable to awriting implement at or before the first end and at or before the secondend; and a writable surface disposed upon the exterior surface; whereinthe foldable case folds to enclose the activity booklet and writingimplement.
 2. The activity kit with tetherable components of claim 1writable surface is an erasable surface selected from the groupconsisting of: a dry erase surface, a slate, a magnetic erasablecontainer, a touchscreen.
 3. The activity kit with tetherable componentsof claim 2 further comprising at least one receptacle disposed upon theinterior surface proximal the pocket, said at least one receptacleconfigured to releasably receive a portion of the writing implementwhereby said writing implement is secured to the interior surface of thecase.
 4. The activity kit with tetherable components of claim 3 furthercomprising at least one fastener whereby the case is securable in aclosed position.
 5. The activity kit with tetherable components of claim4 wherein the case folds in half and the exterior surface is bisected bya spine.
 6. The activity kit with tetherable components of claim 5further comprising at least one handle disposed upon the exteriorsurface or the spine.
 7. The activity kit with tetherable components ofclaim 6 further comprising a soft, raised perimeter disposed surroundingthe writable surface upon the exterior surface.
 8. The activity kit withtetherable components of claim 7 wherein the case is configured tounfold through approximately three-hundred-and-sixty degrees whereby theinterior surface is positional exteriorly in the open position.
 9. Theactivity kit with tetherable components of claim 8 wherein the case issecurable in the open position by means a releasably attachable fastenerdisposed to interconnect when the case is moved to the open position.10. The activity kit with tetherable components of claim 9 wherein thereleasably attachable fastener is selected from the group consisting of:hook and loop, snaps, buttons, magnets, and ties.
 11. The activity kitwith tetherable components of claim 1 further comprising an attachablecollar disposed at the second end of the at least one tether, saidattachable collar fastenable around a portion the writing implement. 12.The activity kit with tetherable components of claim 1 wherein thetether is disposed horizontally or vertically across the interiorsurface of the case and intermittently fastened to the interior surfaceat at least two points whereby the at least one writing implement isattachable by clipping onto sections of the tether between the at leasttwo points of attachment.
 13. (canceled)
 14. (canceled)
 15. The activitykit with tetherable components of claim 11 wherein the writable surfaceis an erasable surface selected from the group consisting of: a dryerase surface, a slate, a magnetic erasable container, a touchscreen.16. The activity kit with tetherable components of claim 12 wherein thewritable surface is an erasable surface selected from the groupconsisting of: a dry erase surface, a slate, a magnetic erasablecontainer, a touchscreen.